Device for holding wires taut



M. A. COMEAU DEVICE FOR HOLDING WIRES TAUT June 11, 1935.

Filed May 2, 1934 \\\\\&. V

kg? i Patented June 11, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for holding wires taut and isparticularly adapted for use as insulators for electric wires.

The object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the wiremay be readily inserted into the support and between a plurality ofslidable jaws in the bore of said support whereby the wire will befirmly gripped when the jaws are moved in one direction and releasedupon movement of the jaws in the opposite direction.

This object is attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, one preferred formthereof is illustrated in the drawing, this form having been found togive satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understoodthat the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists canbe variously arranged and organized, and the invention is not limited tothe precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities asherein shown and described except as required by the scope of theappended claims.

Of the drawing Figure 1 represents an elevation of a device embodyingthe principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a vertical section of the same on line 2, 2, on Fig.1.

Figure 3 represents a horizontal section on line 3, 3 on Fig. 2.

Figure 4 represents a on line 4, 4 on Fig. 3, scale, the upper omitted.

Figure 5 represents a partial vertical section 11 line 5, 5 on Fig. 3,drawn to an enlarged scale, the closing cap being removed.

Figure 6 represents a vertical section on line 6, B on Fig. 4 andshowing the closing cap.

Figure 7 represents a vertical section on line i, 1 on Fig. 5.

Figure 8 represents partial vertical section drawn to an enlarged partof the closing cap being a plan of the jaw separating device.

Figure 9 represents an elevation of the open spring to hold the jawstogether, and

Figure 10 represents an elevation of the boreclosing plate.

Similar characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures ofthe drawing.

In the drawing, [0 is a support preferably made of materialnon-conductive of electricity and having a threaded hole H in the bottomthereof by which it may be attached to the usual pin on the crossbar ofa telegraph pole.

The support It) has extending transversely thereof a tapered bore I2,the larger end of which is closed by a plate i3 having vertical inturnedflanges l4 entering grooves in a side face of said support ID.

This plate |3 has a hole H": of less diameter than the larger end of thebore l2 and from this hole extends upwardly a radial slit I50: ofsufiicient width to receive a wire W to be locked in said support In.

Extending upwardly from the bore l2 and alined with the slit |5:c is aradial slot IS, the upper end of which is closed by a cap I! havinginturned flanges I8 disposed in horizontal grooves in the side walls or"the support Hi.

Beneath the cap l1 and connected thereto is a tongue |9 adapted to bedisposed within the slot l6, this tongue l9 having a downward pro- Ajection ZOadapted to center the wire W in the center of the bore l2.

Within the bore l2 are a plurality of gripping jaws 2| slightly taperedto fit the bore I2.

These jaws 2| have near one end thereof a groove 22 in which is disposedan open spring member 23.

The jaws 2| are of less length than the bore l2 and can be moved endwisewithin said bore, the

taper of said bore preventing displacement of said jaws 2| when moved inone direction while the plate I3 prevents displacement of said jaws whenmoved in the opposite direction.

The side jaws 2| are kept separated until the Wire W is disposed betweenthem by means of a curved member 24 inserted between said jaws 2| sothat the space between said jaws will register with the lower end of theslot I6.

This member 24 is provided with a downturned ear 24:12 by which themember 24 may be removed from the jaws 2| after the wire W has beenpositioned in the bore l2, said member 24 being then thrown away.

When the wire W is to be disposed in the support ID the cap I! isremoved.

The wire W may then be moved downwardly in the slit I51: and slot l6until it is in the center of the bore l2 and between the side jaws 2|.

The cap I! is then positioned on the top of the support in closing theupper end of the slot and preventing rain or snow from entering thesame.

When this has been accomplished and the tongue I!) is pressing down onthe wire, the jaw separating device 24 is then removed permitting thespring member 23 to force the jaws 2| into contact with the wire.

If the wire is then pulled towards the larger end of the bore i2, itwill draw the jaws 2! toward that end of the bore and permit them to beslightly expanded so that the wire may be drawn endwise of said jaws.

When the wire is released the weight of the tautened wire will cause thejaws 21 to be moved toward the-smaller end of the bore 12 and firmlygrip the wire W'so that said wire cannot move in the direction of thearrow A.

By this means a wire may be drawn taut and then held in its tautenedposition.

The tongue i9 when in the slot it bears against the shoulders i912thereby preventing any upwardmovement thereof.

When inserting the jaws 2! into the bore ii of the support i=3, theplate 53 must be removed, said plate being replaced in fixed position onthe support it! as soon as the jaws have been properly disposed in saidbore.

Any slack in the wire W may be removed by pulling the wire in theopposite direction to that indicated by the arrow A, the jaws moving tothe larger end of bore l2 and expanding to permit free movement of saidwire.

As soon as the pulling strain is removed the weight of the wire willmove the jaws to the opposite end of the bore i2 and the jaws 2i willgrip securely on the wire and prevent further movement in direction ofarrow A.

While the invention is primarily designed for use in holding tautelectric wires, it is obvious that the device may be used in retainingtaut any other kind of wire or cable.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination of asupport provided with a transverse tapered bore and a radial slotextending therefrom to receive a wire; and wiregripping means fitted tosaid bore and movable endwise therein to grip the wire when moved in onedirection and release same when moved in the opposite direction, saidgripping means being separated opposite said slot sufficiently toreceive a wire.

2. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered boreand a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; wire-grippingjaws fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein to grip the wirewhen moved in one direction and release same when moved in the oppositedirection; and a closing member for said slot provided with means forcentering the wire in said bore.

3. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered boreand a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality ofgripping jaws fitted to said. bore and movable endwise therein; a devicefor separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein; andmeans for holding said jaws together during their endwise movement.

4:. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered boreand a radialslot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality ofgripping jaws fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein; a devicefor separating said jaws until a wirehas been inserted therein; aperipheral groove in said jaws; and an open spring disposed in saidgroove.

5. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered boreand a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality ofgripping jaws fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein; a devicefor separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein meansfor holding said jaws together during their endwise movement; and aplate secured to said support at the larger end of said bore having ahole therethrough of less diameter than said larger end.

6. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered boreand a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality ofgripping jaws fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein; a devicefor separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein; meansfor holding said jaws together during their endwise endwise therein; adevice for separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein;means for holding said jaws together during their endwise movement; anda cap plate slidably secured to said support closing said slot andhaving a tongue for retaining the wire between said jaws.

8. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered boreand a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality ofgripping jaws fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein; a devicefor separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein; meansfor holding said jaws together during their endwise movement; and a capplate secured to said support closing said slot and having a. U-shapedtongue disposed between two of said jaws and separating them.-

9. The combination of a support'provided with a transverse tapered boreand a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality ofgripping jaws'fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein; a devicefor separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein; meansfor holding said jaws together during their endwise movement; and a capplate secured to said support movement; and a plate secured tosaidsupport at the larger end of said bore and having a hole therethrough ofless diameter than said larger end, said plate having inturned flanges.disposed in parallel grooves in said support.

MELBURN A. Cor/LEAH."

